Saturday, July 25, 2015
Friday, July 24, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Better late than never!
Happy summer day!! Thinking of you and taking a moment to say that things are gerbil in a cage fast speed! Well, they should be but my mind is spinning and my body is stuck in mud slow!! Our daughter is here, tomorrow 2 granddaughters come in, and then we leave on Monday for a week at McCall. The very same way I act all surprised and caught off guard when Christmas shows up each year on December 25, and I feign innocence that I really didn't know...same way with McCall! I've know for 2 years that this day would come on the last week, of July and into August. In time share lingo...week 30. Am I ready??? NO! please don't ask! I do a blog, and I'm never holding myself up as an example of how to be or live but why on earth I use this space as a confessional???--I don't know. I don't think it's co-dependency. Must be some other mental problem! I really do hope on some level you have some area of your life that is sort of similar!!! Misery loving company? oh, wow! Wait a minute...isn't that what the adversary says or desires for all of us to be miserable?? Out. Out and away. doing the best I can!
So Hubby is on new Rx that makes him sort of giddy and that is interesting to witness. The printout prepares you for that sort of thing. We are thinking it will level out in a week and the nice thing is that it seems to be helping his neuralgia, so that is fantastic. Dr. doubled dose of what he started with back in that emergency room visit awhile back. His speech is a bit slurred in the evening and he cannot say enough times how much he loves me and adores me and repeatedly tells Jeanee -- look at her face and see?... it has no lines! Evidently the Rx loosens his tongue and impairs his vision! It will be fantastic to have this work for him on his challenges. I'm thinking it will!!!
I finished and mailed off my sister project of line item details of her entire house contents/some day recipients of her worldly goods. Got her copy typed and finished and emailed my niece so I have removed myself from that family business and they will take it on for any changes etc. A bit of a bobble in things as Sister adamantly does not want to be buried in her Temple clothes but has a lavender dress with jacket, hanging in her closet, awaiting the day when needed. Yes it is gorgeous, very classic, small amount of shiny embellishment. It is the color of lavender that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recently wore so that sort of was a confirmation on the color. Don't ask. Okay? She, as all of us, hears the drumbeat at her level and maybe some of it fades away?
I'm am now going to sign off and do a scavenger hunt in the garage, and in here also, for 22 gifts for our Christmas in July celebration. so far I have 13 so that is a good start. Will wrap them and that will be done. Have planned meals. and some activities. so I move snail pace slow, with the clock loudly ticking and chiming in the background, trying to rush me along! left foot. right foot. etc. etc.
So things will be ready and we will love our time together and I will be back in August with glowing reports of family fun and festivities and make a boat load of memories!!!
So Hubby is on new Rx that makes him sort of giddy and that is interesting to witness. The printout prepares you for that sort of thing. We are thinking it will level out in a week and the nice thing is that it seems to be helping his neuralgia, so that is fantastic. Dr. doubled dose of what he started with back in that emergency room visit awhile back. His speech is a bit slurred in the evening and he cannot say enough times how much he loves me and adores me and repeatedly tells Jeanee -- look at her face and see?... it has no lines! Evidently the Rx loosens his tongue and impairs his vision! It will be fantastic to have this work for him on his challenges. I'm thinking it will!!!
I finished and mailed off my sister project of line item details of her entire house contents/some day recipients of her worldly goods. Got her copy typed and finished and emailed my niece so I have removed myself from that family business and they will take it on for any changes etc. A bit of a bobble in things as Sister adamantly does not want to be buried in her Temple clothes but has a lavender dress with jacket, hanging in her closet, awaiting the day when needed. Yes it is gorgeous, very classic, small amount of shiny embellishment. It is the color of lavender that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recently wore so that sort of was a confirmation on the color. Don't ask. Okay? She, as all of us, hears the drumbeat at her level and maybe some of it fades away?
I'm am now going to sign off and do a scavenger hunt in the garage, and in here also, for 22 gifts for our Christmas in July celebration. so far I have 13 so that is a good start. Will wrap them and that will be done. Have planned meals. and some activities. so I move snail pace slow, with the clock loudly ticking and chiming in the background, trying to rush me along! left foot. right foot. etc. etc.
So things will be ready and we will love our time together and I will be back in August with glowing reports of family fun and festivities and make a boat load of memories!!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Me wanna be...
"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."
- Marvin J. Ashton
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Good morning!
Blog-wise, I will be here off and on the next 3 weeks, as family starts arriving tonight and it snowballs from there, so the luxury of just sitting and sharing my heart-thoughts, will diminish to the point of most likely vanishing!
I love gospel study and seeking to gain understanding and application in my own personal life, in order to feel the Spirit and increase in testimony. The thrill, when it hit me that the Atonement is not just an available power for sin, but a heavenly aid in daily life and all of the complexities of mortality, was/is so amazing to me!
This recent talk by Elder Packer is more for those suffering some feelings of guilt. The last paragraph that I printed here offers such hope and promise. If you are beating yourself with a mean stick, then take heart and read this talk and claim the promise of the Atonement. The amount of power that I personally access today, of this available source of strength, will still leave more than enough for you also! It never runs out and is always there for each of us!
(I am so appreciative of all I learned from Elder Packer and will miss his counsel and presence at General Conference. He had so much influence and impact on me.)
The Plan of Happiness by Elder Packer...here
The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, He has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that. There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity.
I am so grateful for the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the power of procreation, for the power of redemption, for the Atonement—the Atonement which can wash clean every stain no matter how difficult or how long or how many times repeated. The Atonement can put you free again to move forward, cleanly and worthily, to pursue that path that you have chosen in life.
I bear witness that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that the Atonement is not a general thing that is for the whole Church. The Atonement is individual, and if you have something that is bothering you—sometimes so long ago you can hardly remember it—put the Atonement to work. It will clean it up, and you, as does He, will remember your sins no more.
**************************************
I love gospel study and seeking to gain understanding and application in my own personal life, in order to feel the Spirit and increase in testimony. The thrill, when it hit me that the Atonement is not just an available power for sin, but a heavenly aid in daily life and all of the complexities of mortality, was/is so amazing to me!
This recent talk by Elder Packer is more for those suffering some feelings of guilt. The last paragraph that I printed here offers such hope and promise. If you are beating yourself with a mean stick, then take heart and read this talk and claim the promise of the Atonement. The amount of power that I personally access today, of this available source of strength, will still leave more than enough for you also! It never runs out and is always there for each of us!
(I am so appreciative of all I learned from Elder Packer and will miss his counsel and presence at General Conference. He had so much influence and impact on me.)
**************************
The Plan of Happiness by Elder Packer...here
The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, He has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that. There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity.
I am so grateful for the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the power of procreation, for the power of redemption, for the Atonement—the Atonement which can wash clean every stain no matter how difficult or how long or how many times repeated. The Atonement can put you free again to move forward, cleanly and worthily, to pursue that path that you have chosen in life.
I bear witness that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that the Atonement is not a general thing that is for the whole Church. The Atonement is individual, and if you have something that is bothering you—sometimes so long ago you can hardly remember it—put the Atonement to work. It will clean it up, and you, as does He, will remember your sins no more.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Home again!!!
I'm back from my week-long Idaho trip. I am bushed for sure! We itemized every single item in my sister's house, as to where she wants things to go, in the event of her moving to the next phase of living. Hopefully that won't be for a long time but it does seem a bit grim right now.
16 pages later, of listing thing after thing after thing!....I'm ready for a rest! We are sisters but so different in so many ways. Me the HippieAmishSistah and she is the HollywoodGlamQueen and if the glitter sticks then the the more the better. I think she was born with the love of sparkle. I've mentioned before the attraction she felt to the shine of rhinestones. In the 50's we all loved those little fake diamonds and we all wore them to our proms. She graduated on to fine jewelery and has quite a collection of gorgeous gems. Well, used to have...past tense! She has shared them with her 4 daughters but even with that dispersing there was a lot left throughout the house.
She loves fine China and Crystal glasses and silverware edged in gold and chandeliers with shades changed seasonally and floor length tablecloths and toppers and very large beautiful floral centerpieces and big mirrors and lovely paintings in gilded frames. This is a picture of her formal dining room. Her home is small. Like a tiny palace filled with only the best quality and highest excellence in decor and furnishings. Yes. It took 16 pages to itemize the treasure chest.
She loves beauty and lots of it! She is a fan of decorator pillows...
Four daughters that grew from babyhood to adulthood. Can you begin to imagine what could happen if treasures weren't designated? Maybe a cat fight of the former kitties? She didn't want to leave anything to chance so we started afresh. It didn't matter who had hoped for what item. She just erased the slate and started over with where she wanted things to go and not trying to fulfill any previous requests. The dust settled and we worked long and hard. Sometimes things are not really valuable money-wise but sentimentally they are worth their weight in gold!
When I went over, I wasn't sure what I'd find or what I could do to help. When she started talking about giving such and such to so and so, I asked...do you have a list? she said...No. I don't. She'd already mentioned a couple of items that a couple of daughters wanted the same thing. Uh-oh.
I reminded her of how overwhelming it was when our Mother died and we would be emptying the house. Her will, certain to make sure that everything was even-steven, stated...the entire house and all contents are to be shared 50-50. Now let me tell you that is overwhelming to consider when you are in a house that has housed an 82 year old woman that was married for umpteen dozen years.
I knew that families many times divide at the division of properties and knew that we had to be ready and not have any fussing. A plan was devised and it worked great. We did get in a little fuss over our Grandmother Clark's sugar spoon but nothing else. Don't judge me harshly on that episode!! she wanted to break up the set of sugar spoon and butter knife. I felt they should stay together so the battle line was drawn. As we went through items to add to our line item list...she handed me the spoon to go with the knife from all those years ago!
In our big-time-list-making, there was only one time that I lost my cool and with dramatic flair, threw up my hands, and said with a very loud voice...I quit!! That's it!! I'm out of here!!
Well, of course I didn't quit and we plowed ahead. I did try to be peaceful and calm and keep on task and focused. Mostly I did that but there was a snappiness to my voice at times if I got super frustrated. It was wonderful when it was all over/done/complete to see how much peace it brought to her.
I admit to coming up with a great way to inventory and list the happenings in the future of all designated treasures. I need to do that for myself!
We had times of tenderness and tears. One time I hugged her so hard and squeezed her so tight that the soft pliable oxygen line on her cheek got squished by me! Not cutting her oxygen off but we did get a good laugh about it!
Sunday night she called and said she is feeling better. I hope so. We can always hope for miracles because we do believe in miracles. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Is this a part of provident living???
I took a few pictures of the Meridian Temple that is going up. I'll share. Don't I remember seeing a sketch of this and it has a domed roof and is rather square looking? it reminded me of a mosque! surely I'm dreaming. it sort of looks like it???
It's good to be back. I still have so much I want to talk about. It may be dibs and dabs because family starts coming in on Tuesday and it will be pretty much non-stop with activity.
President Packer. I loved him so much and learned so much from him. Can you imagine now finding two men/families willing to stop all they are doing, divest themselves of all worldly things and take on serving right up to the day of their death??? I'm assuming, no, I'm not assuming!...I know there are some men prepared to do that deed and the Lord will tell the First Presidency, and the remaining members of the 12, who those 2 men are. I'm praying for all concerned.
(Celise...I've not forgotten that blog I said I'd do and I'll still get it done!!)
16 pages later, of listing thing after thing after thing!....I'm ready for a rest! We are sisters but so different in so many ways. Me the HippieAmishSistah and she is the HollywoodGlamQueen and if the glitter sticks then the the more the better. I think she was born with the love of sparkle. I've mentioned before the attraction she felt to the shine of rhinestones. In the 50's we all loved those little fake diamonds and we all wore them to our proms. She graduated on to fine jewelery and has quite a collection of gorgeous gems. Well, used to have...past tense! She has shared them with her 4 daughters but even with that dispersing there was a lot left throughout the house.
She loves fine China and Crystal glasses and silverware edged in gold and chandeliers with shades changed seasonally and floor length tablecloths and toppers and very large beautiful floral centerpieces and big mirrors and lovely paintings in gilded frames. This is a picture of her formal dining room. Her home is small. Like a tiny palace filled with only the best quality and highest excellence in decor and furnishings. Yes. It took 16 pages to itemize the treasure chest.
 |
| My favorite thing in the room?...her! |
 |
| She even puts her make-up on immediately when she wakes up. I drive her nuts!! |
 |
| her bedroom bed pillows |
 |
| the guest room window seat with bed pillows |
 |
| her couch cushions |
When I went over, I wasn't sure what I'd find or what I could do to help. When she started talking about giving such and such to so and so, I asked...do you have a list? she said...No. I don't. She'd already mentioned a couple of items that a couple of daughters wanted the same thing. Uh-oh.
I reminded her of how overwhelming it was when our Mother died and we would be emptying the house. Her will, certain to make sure that everything was even-steven, stated...the entire house and all contents are to be shared 50-50. Now let me tell you that is overwhelming to consider when you are in a house that has housed an 82 year old woman that was married for umpteen dozen years.
I knew that families many times divide at the division of properties and knew that we had to be ready and not have any fussing. A plan was devised and it worked great. We did get in a little fuss over our Grandmother Clark's sugar spoon but nothing else. Don't judge me harshly on that episode!! she wanted to break up the set of sugar spoon and butter knife. I felt they should stay together so the battle line was drawn. As we went through items to add to our line item list...she handed me the spoon to go with the knife from all those years ago!
In our big-time-list-making, there was only one time that I lost my cool and with dramatic flair, threw up my hands, and said with a very loud voice...I quit!! That's it!! I'm out of here!!
Well, of course I didn't quit and we plowed ahead. I did try to be peaceful and calm and keep on task and focused. Mostly I did that but there was a snappiness to my voice at times if I got super frustrated. It was wonderful when it was all over/done/complete to see how much peace it brought to her.
I admit to coming up with a great way to inventory and list the happenings in the future of all designated treasures. I need to do that for myself!
We had times of tenderness and tears. One time I hugged her so hard and squeezed her so tight that the soft pliable oxygen line on her cheek got squished by me! Not cutting her oxygen off but we did get a good laugh about it!
Sunday night she called and said she is feeling better. I hope so. We can always hope for miracles because we do believe in miracles. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Is this a part of provident living???
**********************
I took a few pictures of the Meridian Temple that is going up. I'll share. Don't I remember seeing a sketch of this and it has a domed roof and is rather square looking? it reminded me of a mosque! surely I'm dreaming. it sort of looks like it???
 |
| Mosque looking???? |
 |
| It's on a hill. |
 |
| very large. very high up! |
*************************
It's good to be back. I still have so much I want to talk about. It may be dibs and dabs because family starts coming in on Tuesday and it will be pretty much non-stop with activity.
President Packer. I loved him so much and learned so much from him. Can you imagine now finding two men/families willing to stop all they are doing, divest themselves of all worldly things and take on serving right up to the day of their death??? I'm assuming, no, I'm not assuming!...I know there are some men prepared to do that deed and the Lord will tell the First Presidency, and the remaining members of the 12, who those 2 men are. I'm praying for all concerned.
(Celise...I've not forgotten that blog I said I'd do and I'll still get it done!!)
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Heading out of Dodge....
I was getting a Soapbox blog ready and things have changed. My sister went to the Dr. on Tuesday and she is not doing so great so I'm going to go see her....for a few days. Not longer than a week! (Kip will watch out for his Dad so they will be fine.) I couldn't live with myself-- if she had to be hospitalized for an extended amount of time and we missed the luxury of being together in her home and just visiting and being at ease. No more yearly sister trips. No more McCall for her. No more much of anything except her staying home so we will enjoy our time in her home. We will watch TV (she loves HSN and those sorts of things) While she rests...I'll read and also see if I can access my blog on Terry's laptop. I really do have a lot on my mind.
I really like this...maybe you have already seen it???
I really like this...maybe you have already seen it???
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